Sink assembly



W. P. BOYLE SINK ASSEMBLY Dec. 3, 1957 Filed April 23, 1954 3Sheets-Sheet 1 WILLIAM P. BOYLE Dec. 3, 1957 w, BOYLE 2,814,809

SINK ASSEMBLY Filed April 23, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IO 22 4 rr- --tj I II 24 l I I l l I l I I 50 l 1 gwlLuAm P. BOYLE LJL 5 QKWMAW 44- w. P.BOYLE smk ASSEMBLY Dec. 3, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 23, 1954INVENTOR.

WILLIAM E BOYLE United States Patent SINK ASSEMBLY William P. Boyle,White Oak, Pa.

Application April 23, 1954, Serial No. 425,275

9 Claims. (Cl. 4-187) This invention relates to a concealable sinkassembly or the like. More particularly this invention pertains to anovel utility sink assembly particularly useful for merchandisingcounters and like equipment where articles or fixtures are present whichrequire washing from time to time. Following use of the new sinkassembly, it may be returned to a position which conceals it and placesit out of the way of those working around such merchandising and likeequipment.

Many merchandising counters, industrial benches, storage and displayequipment used in business and industry are provided with fixtures orarticles, including merchandise, or both, which require periodicalwashing. It is inefiicient to transport the movable items to be washedto another location for that operation. On the other hand, many fixturesand articles to be so cleaned are relatively permanently fixed inposition so that they must be washed in place. In some cases heretofore,a slop bowl has been provided in a cupboard or in an alcove adjacent tothe location where fixtures and articles are to be washed. However, theprovision of such a slop bowl is generally unsightly or it occupiesneeded space or has some other drawback. Heretofore also, a washing trayhas been provided under a counter and located, in many cases, at anawkard height and in an awkward position. For example, the Washingoperation in such a tray frequently had to be conducted in a bent-overposition with the operators hands extending beneath the counter into thevicinity of the tray. Generally too, access to such a washing tray wasprovided through an opening beneath the counter which was unsightly and,moreover, often gave rise to conditions under which the steaming of theglass in display cases in the vicinity might more readily take place.The possibility of damage to goods was increased by the increasedpossibility of striking parts of the equipment and the size of articlesthat could be washed in the washing tray was Limited by the size of theaccess opening. In addition, the attention of the operator during use ofsuch a washing tray was diverted from customers and others who mightdesire attention.

In the new movable sink assembly of this invention, the disadvantages ofprior practices and structures have been overcome. Thus, in myinvention, fixtures and articles may, in effect, be washed in place by asales person or other operator. In that washing function, the operatormay remain in substantially normal standing position and at the sametime keep an eye upon the area over which the operator has charge toserve the needs of customers and others who may come to his location.Still further, the hazard to fragile or brittle articles is reduced anda more extensive range in the size and shape of the articles may readilybe taken care of. Moreover, the sink element in my new combination issupported so that it may be shoved into retracted position beneath thetop of the merchandising counter or other equipment when a washingoperation is completed. When so retracted, the new sink assembly isconcealed and forms,

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in appearance, a generally uniform facade with the remainder of theequipment in juxtaposition thereto.

Other and further objects and advantages of this invention will beevident from the following description and from the drawings, which areillustrative only, in which Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of myinvention being utilized in a merchandise display counter and shows thesink element of my new combination in partially opened or extendedposition;

Figure 2 is a view in front elevation of the embodiment shown in Figure1;

Figure 3 is a view of my new concealable combination, partly in section,taken along line III-III of Figure 2, with the new sink elementillustrated in retracted concealed position and in open extendedposition;

Figure 4 is a view of the structure shown in Figure 3 takensubstantially along line IV-IV of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a detailed view of a baffle construction which may beutilized in the illustrated embodiment of my invention; and

Figures 6 and 7 are detailed views of a roller bearing which may beutilized to support the new sink element in my invention during movementand in closed and open position.

Referring to the drawings, a merchandising counter 10 may be provided,for example, with glass display cases 11 such as those used fordisplaying candy in which glass shelves 12 are utilized as stocksupporting shams so that only a relatively small amount of stock is ondisplay in a relatively large display case in accordance with the usualmerchandising practice in that regard. The case 11 and shelves 12 may bevertically divided by partitions 13 supported on a counter top 14.Counter 10 may stand on a floor 15 of a store with its face 16 towardthe customers who come to counter 10 to be waited upon. The other side17 of counter 10 is in back of the counter and accessible to a salesperson passing up and down in aisle 18. Floor 19 in aisle 18 isgenerally raised above the level of the floor 15 so that a sales personcan reach over the display case 11 to serve a customer in front ofcounter ltl. Beneath top 14 of counter It), the counter is fitted withcabinets 20 and storage drawers 21, for example, for additional stockand supplies. Such cabinets and drawers may be fitted into cubicalspaces between jambs 22.

The illustrated embodiment of my new concealable sink assemblycombination 23 is likewise adapted to fit a suitable cubical space in acounter ltl beneath top 14 In my new combination 23, a cubical frame 24%may be provided comprising vertical corner members 25 joined together attheir ends by horizontally extending frame members 26. The over-alldimensions of frame 24 fit within the cubical space provided and may besupported by the stands 27 fastened to base 28 of the counter itself.Stands 27 include bolt legs 29 which pass through opening in cornerplates 30 and are adjustable in height by nuts 31 to adjust the heightof such corner plates 34). Hence, the stands 27 enable frame 24 and mynew sink assembly combination 23 to be adjusted in height as requiredand to be made level despite irregularities in base 28 or floor 15' uponwhich counter It) stands.

Horizontally extending inner support channels 32 are fastened to frame24 across each side on the same level and act as the primary supportingpart of a roller bearing support 33 enabling sink 34 to be fullysupported in concealed or open position and during linear longitudinalor sliding movement of the sink from one position to the other.

A flange 35 adjacent the forward end of channel 32 acts as a stop for afloating outer channel member 36. Channel 36 telescopes over stop 35 andball bearings 37 having spacers 38 associated therewith. Channel 36 isalso provided with a stop 39 at the forward end thereof and an inwardlyextending stop flange 40 at the rearward end thereof. Sink 34, on theother hand, is provided with wheels 41 on each side thereof. Hence,pulling sink 34 open by a handle 42 brings on each side the forwardwheel 41 up against stop 39 and channel member 36 moves forward relativeto inner channel 32 until flange 40 arrests the forward motion at thepoint where sink 34 is in its extended or open position, as shown insolid lines in Figures 3 and 4. Conversely, when sink 34 is returned toits retracted or concealed position, as shown in dotted lines in Figure3, wheels 41 of sink element 34 roll back upon channel member 36 untilthe rear of the sides of panel 43 at the front of sink 34 abuts againsteach stop 39 pushing channel members 36 rearwardly into telescopingrelation relative to channel member 32 until sink 34 and panel 43 are inclosed position and flush with the closed positions of the cabinets 20and drawers 21, as shown in Figure 1. That substantially flush relationeffectively conceals my new sink combination within counter 10 beneathtop 14. Preferably, sink 34 will be mounted in its bearing supportmembers such that it will remain in any position to which sink 34 ismoved regardless of whether or not sink 34 is filled with washing orrinsing water or other cleaning liquid.

Horizontal angles 44 are supported by the frame 24 across the front andback thereof. Angles 44 in turn have a drain trough 45 secured theretoto receive waste from sink 3 4. The inner sides and bottom of draintrough 45 slope to a discharge opening to which a discharge pipe 46 isconnected. In turn, the lower end of discharge pipe 46 is connected to atrap 47 leading to a sewer 48. A suitable union fitting is provided tocouple trough 45 to trap 47 in the course of an installation of one ofmy new sink assemblies.

Trough 45 is open at the top between its sides 49 and its back 50 andfront 51 respectively. Hence, regardless of the position of sink 34, anoverflow pipe 52 and a drain pipe 53 supportably secured to sink 34 areabove trough 45 so that if there is any discharge from either of saidpipes, it passes into the drain trough 45 where it then moves on intosewer 48. A lower panel 54 which may be in the shape of an inverted Jmay hook over the front edge of the front angle 44 on each side oftrough 45 with the lower edge of panel 54 extending below the top edgeof baseboard 55 of counter 10. Thereby, lower panel 54 may readily beinserted in place and removed when sink 34 is open. When panel 54 is inplace, it, with the face of panel 43, completes the finished flushappearance of my new concealable sink assembly combination. When in suchclosed position, the new sink element 34 is entirely out of the way andout of the aisle 18. On the other hand, when there is a washingoperation to be performed, sink 34 is moved into its extended or openposition and the sales person or operator can wash in sink 34 whateverrequires cleaning without material stooping or awkward reaching orlikelihood of damage to the items being cleaned.

The upper front frame member 26 is provided with a combination faucet 56to which hot water may be supplied through a pipe 57 and cold waterthrough a pipe 53, said piping being respectively continued above thetop of sink 34 and beneath counter top 14 to a position such as onebehind a jamb 22 where such pipes may be led downwardly to suitable hotand cold water connections under the floor of the store. A common spout59 of faucet 56 discharges into sink 34 and is positioned thereabove.The respective hot and cold water valve stems of faucet 56 extendthrough openings in a frieze 69 which is a part of cabinet 10immediately beneath top 14. Hot and cold water handles 61 and 62 permitthe turning on and turning off of the respective valves in faucet 56 andthe adjustment of the temperature of the water discharged through spout59 in accordance with the users desires. Water may be discharged fromfaucet 56 into sink 34 in any position of sink 34 between fully open andfully closed position. The inlet of overflow pipe 52 is set in sink 34just above the normal maximum liquid level desired in sink 34. Damage tothe valve handles 61 and 62 is prevented due to the fact that countertop 14 is provided with an overhang 63 which also conceals the faucethandles from the view of a customer.

Novel sink element 34 itself may be made of a single sheet of stainlesssteel, for example, drawn into sink shape such as the one illustrated.To the front thereof, upper panel 43 with handle 42 thereon is suitablyaflixed by welding if panel 43 is stainless steel or otherwise if it isof another material, to match the outside vertical surface of the backof the counter 10. The inside bottom surface of sink 34 will be providedwith a suflicient slope to insure complete drainage of all liquid insink 34 into outlet 64 which may, if desired, be provided with a crumbstrainer 65. Between outlet 64 and drain pipe 53, a drain valve 66 ispositioned. Drain valve 66 may be in the nature of a petcock andprovided with an orifice 67 through the body thereof. When orifice 67 isin alignment with pipes 64 and 53, waste in sink 34 will dischargethrough pipe 53. Conversely, when orifice 67 is out of alignment withthe axis of pipe 53 and outlet 64, the drain for sink 34 will be closedand sink 34 will hold liquid up to the level of the inlet of overflowpipe 52. The rotating part in valve 66 with the orifice 67 therein isturned by an extension rod 68. Rod 68 passes through a bushing in thelower part of panel 43 and is provided with a handle 69 which may be inthe form of a cross. In the position shown in Figure 3, the marking onthe horizontal arms of the cross of handle 69 reads close indicatingthat the drain for sink 34 is closed. A rotation of ninety degrees inone direction by handle 69 will open outlet 64 and drain any liquid insink 34 into trough 45.

In order to prevent a sloshing effect of liquid in my new sink element34, either during the filling thereof or during movement of sink 34 withliquid therein, a baffle 70 may be provided. Baflie 70 is provided withlarge openings 71 over the entire surface thereof and has its upper edge72 folded back and downwardly to hook over the top edge of a verticalflange 73 fastened to the respective inner sides of sink 34. The outerlower corners 74 of the vertical portion of baflle 70 in turn slidebetween flange 73 and a second short flange 75 at the bottom thereof,removably securing baffle 70 in place whenever it may be used. Anaerator may be utilized with spout 59 to further diminish the likelihoodof splashing or sloshing in filling sink 34 with liquid. After extendedperiods of use, it may be desirable to remove sink 34 for scouring. Suchremoval of sink 34 itself with the parts secured thereto is readilyachieved. All that is required is to pull sink 34 into an open positionand lift the wheels 41 upwardly and forwardly to separate sink 34 fromits bearing support 33 whereupon it may be pulled out of frame 24 andsuch scouring performed before sink 34 is replaced in cooperativeposition with the other elements of my new combination.

Various modifications may be made in particular elements of my inventionwithout departing from the spirit thereof or the scope of the appendedclaims.

I claim:

1. In a sink assembly, in combination, bearing supports connected to aframe, a sink movably supported by said bearing supports for movementbetween non-projecting and projecting positions in said frame, a wastereceiver positioned beneath said sink and extending in the direction ofmovement of said sink, said waste receiver further extending for adistance generally at least equal to the extent of said movement of saidsink, liquid supplying means positioned above a forward portion of saidsink when in said non-projecting position and a rearward portion when insaid projecting position, outlet means in said sink positioned abovesaid receiver in all positions of said sink, and means to regulate saidoutlet means.

2. In a concealable sink assembly, in combination, a frame, a counter orthe like into which said frame fits, extensible bearing supportssupportably connected to the respective sides of said frame, a sinkengaging said bearing supports, said sink being in the upper part ofsaid frame and movable in and out thereof, said bearing supports adaptedto be moved by said movement of said sink, a drain liquid receiversupported by said frame beneath said sink, liquid supplying meanspositioned above said sink, an outlet in said sink overlying said liquidreceiver at all times, and means for opening and closing said outlet inaccessible position at the front of said sink.

3. In a concealable sink assembly, in combination, a frame, a draintrough supported by said frame, a bearing support connected to saidframe above said drain trough, a movable sink engaging said bearingsupport, a drain pipe carried by said sink, said drain pipe overlyingsaid trough in all positions of movement of said sink, a faucet tosupply liquid to said sink, said faucet being connected to said frameand overlying said sink in all positions of movement thereof, a bafiletoward the rear of said sink and extending across the same to minimizesplashing and sloshing, and an overflow pipe to limit the maximum liquidlevel in said sink, said overflow pipe being always open and overlyingsaid trough in all positions of said sink.

4. In a concealable sink assembly, in combination, a frame, a draintrough supported by said frame, a bearing support connected to saidframe, a movable sink engaging said bearing support for movement intoand out of said frame, said trough extending in the direction ofmovement of said sink, an outlet having a drain pipe connected to saidsink, said drain pipe overlying said trough in all positions of movementof said sink, a faucet to supply liquid to said sink, said faucetoverlying said sink in all positions of movement thereof, a removableperforated bafile in said sink to minimize splashing, said bafie beingpositioned across and adjacent the rear of said sink, and an overflowpipe in said sink overlying said trough in all positions of said sink.

5. In a concealable sink assembly, in combination, a frame, a counter orthe like into which said frame fits, extensible bearing supportssupportably connected to the re spective sides of said frame, a sinkremovably supported on the top of said bearing supports, said sink beingin the upper part of said frame and movable in and out thereof, stopmembers to limit the movement of said sink, a drain trough supported bysaid frame beneath said sink, faucet means connected to said frame abovesaid sink to supply liquid thereto in all positions thereof, an outletin said sink overlying said trough at all times, a valve in said outlet,and means extending through to accessible position adjacent the front ofsaid sink for opening and closing said valve.

6. In a concealable sink assembly, in combination, a frame, channelmembers connected to said frame, a sink supported by said members in theupper part of said frame and longitudinally movable between a closedconcealed position and an open extended position, a drain receivertrough supported by said frame in fixed position beneath said sink, saidtrough extending for a distance in the direction of movement of saidsink generally at least equal to the extent of movement of said sink,liquid supplying means supported by said frame in fixed position abovesaid sink and operable to supply liquid to said sink in all positionsthereof, outlet means connected to said sink and positioned above saidtrough in all positions of said sink, a front panel on said sink, and ahandle on the outer side of said panel to regulate said outlet means andindicate the position thereof.

7. In a concealable sink assembly for a counter or the like, incombination, a cubical frame having corner members joined together,means for holding said frame in level position inside said counter orthe like, a sink movable into and out of the upper part of said counterand frame in a linear manner, means for supporting said sink in allpositions thereof, liquid supplying means within said counter and belowthe top thereof, said last-mentioned means being adapted to dischargeliquid into said sink in all positions thereof, waste liquid receivingmeans within said counter and said frame, said waste liquid receivingmeans being beneath said sink and extending in the direction of movementthereof, and panels for the front of said sink and the front of thelower part of said frame, said panels being flush when said sink is inclosed concealed position, said panels further being in surfaceconformity with adjoining vertical outer surfaces of said counter.

8. In a concealable sink assembly, for a counter or the like, incombination, a cubical frame having corner members joined together,means for holding said frame in level position inside said counter orthe like, a sink movable into and out of the upper part of said counterand frame in a linear manner, extensible roller bearing means forsupporting said sink in all positions thereof and adapted to be extendedby moving said sink to its; extended position, liquid supplying meanswithin said counter and below the top of said counter and inwardly ofthe back edge of said top, said last-mentioned means being adapted todischarge liquid into said sink in all positions thereof, waste liquidreceiving means within said counter and said frame, said waste liquidreceiving means being beneath said sink, and panels for the front ofsaid sink and the front of the lower part of said frame, said panelsbeing flush when said sink is in closed concealed position, said panelsfurther when flush with each other being substantially flush also withother adjoining vertical outer surfaces of said counter.

9. In a sink assembly, in combination, a frame, a sink drawer slidablysupported by said frame for movement between non-projecting andprojecting positions in said frame, liquid-supplying means connected tosaid frame and positioned above a forward portion of said sink drawerwhen the latter is in said non-projecting position and above a rearwardportion of said sink drawer when the latter is in said projectingposition, and means for draining liquid from said sink drawer.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS125,991 Schneemann Apr. 23, 1872 136,802 Wyttenbach Mar. 11, 1873186,143 Mar Jan. 9, 1877 472,826 Rudrof Apr. 12, 1892 948,046 FrankemFeb. 1, 1910 1,307,460 Skalla June 24, 1919 1,783,460 Brotz Dec. 2, 19302,341,093 Haberstump Feb. 8, 1944 2,580,575 Muckler Ian. 1, 1952

